Tag Archives: patent

The USPTO held a hearing on February 16 to collect testimony from interested parties to discuss factors affecting the availability of confirmatory, or second opinion, genetic testing. However, the hearing quickly devolved into testimonies addressing so called ‘gene patents’ and genetic testing more broadly. Dr. Hans Sauer testified on behalf of BIO and first raised the question whether there is in fact patient demand for an ‘independent second opinion genetic test.’ While doctors would likely Read More >

The USPTO recently announced the Patents for Humanity Challenge which awards patent owners and licensees for innovations that address humanitarian needs. Judges will chose winners from four categories: Medical technology – includes medicines, vaccines, diagnostic equipment, or assistive devices. Food and nutrition – includes agricultural technology like drought-resistant crops, more nutritious crop strains, farming equipment, and technologies that improve food storage, preservation, or preparation. Clean technology – includes technologies that improve public health by removing Read More >

By Hans Sauer, Deputy General Counsel for Intellectual Property, Biotechnology Industry Organization Question from a Reader: Heather: Whether Jonas Salk believed in patenting research or not isn’t important, at least not to me. What I do find important, and hadn’t realized until reading this article, is that the polio vaccine was extremely successful despite the fact that it wasn’t patented. That sounds like an interesting story because it goes against the current dogma of ‘we won’t Read More >

By Jill E. Sackman, D.V.M., Ph.D., Senior Consultant, and Matt Levy, J.D., Business Analyst, at Numerof & Associates, Inc. (NAI) The pharmaceutical industry has entered a critical period of transition. Business models that have proven remarkably successful over the past 20 years are now encountering major challenges. As biotech companies grapple with the leading symptoms of these challenges – pricing pressures, pipeline productivity concerns, a growing public distrust, and greater political and regulatory scrutiny – Read More >